viii) The most important point to note in this connection is...

viii) The most important point to note in this connection is that they anticipated the eventuality of using force, and made arrange- ments for it. ix) The coup was over, in the heat and haste of the moment, the people had done homage to Abu Bakr; now they found time to repent at leisure when the right and the wrong of the matter began to dawn upon them; they began to blame each other for acting hastily and falling a prey to the machinations of a party.

This was to be provided against, and it was done. Hastily and en masse, they were sent out on foreign expeditions which developed into Persian and Roman wars. It was in consonance. with Arab nature; Arabs were passionately fond of women, loot and fighting, and this happy stroke of statesmanship provided them with all they wanted. There was a bit of pass-time nearer home as well.

Some of the tribes did not acknowledge Abu Bakr to be the rightful Caliph; they therefore, refused to pay him zakat which was in the nature of a tax. This was a dangerous beginning which might develop into a poisonous growth. But a mere denial of zakat cannot be a good cause for killing a Muslim. It was, there- fore, given out that they were renegades from Islam. It was not an organised rebellion, and those people were speedily over-come. But the armies were not allowed to come to Medina.

While they were on the way, they were ordered to invade Persia and Rome, though these count- ries had given no cause for this action. Such Imperialistic wars are not permitted in Islam. But to avoid internal trouble, they had to be undertaken. This is a contrivance which has been very often adopted by statesmen in similar circumstances.

In the face of this overwhelming evidence, it would be sheer folly to deny the following facts which are fully established:- The succession to the Prophet was a disputed one; There were distinctly two parties to this dispute. One party put forth `Ali as the rightful claimant to the succession by virtue of his ability, kinship with the Prophet and his desig- nation by the Prophet as his heir and successor; the other party headed by certain leaders had an eye on the throne.

Various causes which have been detailed in the book contributed to the success of this latter party. They captured the Caliphate by means of the coup which has been mentioned above. Henceforth, naturally enough, their main concern was to keep down the rival party by any means, fair or foul.